Shelf or rack for refrigerators, ovens, and the like



June 9, 1942. L. A. YOUNG 2,285,764

SHELF OR RACK FOR REFRIGERATORS, OVENS, AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 19, 1.940

i i 7L5 A5 /6 INVENTOR. I 4 Lea/7am /7 Wm? 74 7 BY 6 7 614 W ATI ORNEYS Patented June 9, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHELF OR RACK FOR REFRIGERATOR/S, OVENS, AND THE LIKE This invention relates to improvements in shelves or racks for refrigerators, ovens, and the like.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a rack or shelf well adapted for use in refrigerators, ovens, and the like which has the required strength and at the same time requiresa minimum of material.

Second, to provide a shelf or rack embodying these advantages in which the parts are so formed, shaped and arranged as to permit the use of relatively expensive material such, for example, as stainless steel, and at the same time the finished rack is quite economical to produce.

Third, to provide a structure embodying these advantages which is very attractive in appearance.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing," in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan View of a refrigerator rack or shelf embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary end View thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section on a line corresponding to line 33 of Fig. 1, the grid wire or slat being shown partially in full lines.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view sectioned on line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section corresponding to that of Fig. 3 of a modified form or embodiment of my invention, the modification being in the cross section of the rim member.

Fig. 6. is'a fragmentary section corresponding to that of Figs. 3 and 5 of still another modificabut up to the present, the cost has been regarded as prohibitive.

By my invention, I am enabled to employ stainless steel, the members of the rack being so formed that they possess the desired strength with reasonable cost in the matter of material and while my invention is particularly desirable for the utilization of stainless steel it is desirable for a grade of steels now commonly used in the manufacture of racks and shelves of this character.

In the accompanying drawing, I illustrate an embodiment of my invention in a refrigerator rack or shelf. The structure illustrated comprises a border frame consisting of a front member l, rear member 2, and end members 3, 3. These members are continuous, being preferably formed integrally of a single piece of stock of suitable length, bent to shape, and the ends of the stock welded.

In practice, I preferably form the frame of round wire or rod stock of suitable gauge rolled to provide the desired section, a very desirable embodiment being illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive. In this embodiment, the frame is of a general T-section, being substantially flat on one side and on the opposite side having a central portion 4 which is of curved rounded bead-like contour with rabbet-like shoulders 5 at each side thereof. The flat face is preferably provided with a central longitudinal groove 14 of substantial width and depth, this groove being preferably curved in cross section. This groove or longitudinal recess performs a double functionthat is, it reduces the amount of stick required in forming the rim, but the primary object is to provide a longitudinal recess which may receive a contrasting ornamental coloringthat is, contrasting with the surfaces at each side thereof.

The rear and end members 2 and 3 of the frame are disposed with the portions 4 thereof upwardly while the front member I is disposed with its portion 4' facing inwardly. This is accomplished by forming quarter twists at 6 at the front ends of the end members 3 of the frame. The flat face 1 of the front of the frame is carried around the corners in curves as indicated at 8 and merged into the twists 6. I thus secure a relatively wide front member for the shelves.

The slats or grid wires 9 are also preferably formed of stainless steel wire rolled into a halfround form as illustrated, providing a fiat bottom or under-portions I0 and rounded or transversely curved top portions l I. These grid wires are disposed with their flat side downwardly and their front ends upon and welded to the central portion of the frame member and their ends in abutting relation to the upper shoulder thereof and welded thereto as indicated at I2.

The rear ends of these grid wires are disposed upon and Welded to the inner shoulder of the rear frame member and with their ends in abutting relation to the rounded portion thereof and Welded thereto as shown at l3. This forms a very secure joint or union and this arrangement and shaping of the parts greatly facilitates welding as the half-round grid wires and the shoulders are relatively thin-that is, as compared to round stock and present substantial areas to each other which results in very effective welding and consequent secure joints and much time is saved in the welding operation, thus resulting in economy both in the matter of material and time and at the same time securing a superior joint for the parts.

The forming of the slats or grid wires of halfround shape presents an attractive rounded appearance, and the appearance of size even when formed of wire of substantially half the gauge of the rounded wire commonly used. While stainlesssteel stock may be initially formed in the cross sectional shape or contour illustrated, I have found it comparatively simple to reduce the round stock to the desired shape both in the matter of the rim and the grid wires.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the border rim I5 is the same as that illustrated in Fig. 3 except as to the cross section, this being of a general half-round section with a central bead |-6 which, in the rear and end members, is disposed upwardly, and in the front member is disposed inwardly as a result of forming the quarter twists corresponding to those formed in the rim of Figs. 1 to 4. The grid wires I! are disposed with their front ends upon the beadelike portion l6 and welded thereto and to the surface abutting the same and their rear ends abutting the rounded portion l6 and welded thereto. I have not attempted to show the detail of the welds.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the rim I8 is formed of stock of a general quarter round shape, presenting a flat outer side or face [9 and a curved inner side 20 terminating in a shoulder 2I- at the bottom thereof. The grid wires 22 are arranged upon this shoulder and welded thereto and to the curved surface adjacent the shoulder. I have not attempted to illus-v trate this welding.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in embodiments which I have found highly satisfactory. I have not attempted to illustrate and describe certain modifications or embodiments which I contemplate as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The combination of a border frame com prising integral front, rear and end members substantially flat on one side and the opposite side having a central transversely rounded portion and rabbet-like shoulders at the .sides of said central portion, the rear and end members of the frame being disposed with the flat sides thereof facing downwardly and the front member being disposed with the flat side thereof facing forwardly, there being quarter twists at the front ends of the end members, the flat face'of the front member being extended around the front corners of the frame and merged into said quarter twists, and grid wires of substantially halfround section disposed with their fiat sides downand welded to the central portion of the front frame member and in abutting relation to the upper shoulder thereof and welded thereto and with their rear ends disposed upon and welded to the inner shoulder of the rear frame member and with their ends in abutting relation to the rounded portion thereof and welded thereto.

2. The combination of a border frame comprising integral front, rear and end members substantially fiat on one side and the opposite side having a, central portion and shoulders at the sides of said central portion, the rear and end members of the frame being disposed with the flat sides thereof facing downwardly and the front member being disposed with the flat side thereof facing forwardly, there being quarter twists at the front ends of the end members, the flat face of the front member being extended around the front corners of the frame and merged into said quarter twists, and grid wires of substantially half-round section disposed with their fiat sides. downwardly and with their front ends disposed upon and welded to the central portion of the front frame member and with their rear ends disposed upon and welded to the inner shoulder of the rear frame member.

3. The combination of a border frame comprising integral front, rear and end members substantially flat on one side and the opposite Side having a central portion and shoulders at the sides of said central portion, the face of said flat side having a central longitudinal groove therein, the rear and end members of the frame being disposed with the flat sides thereof facing downwardly and the front member being disposed with the flat side thereof facing forwardly, there being quarter twists at the front ends of the. end members, the fiat face of the front member being extended around the front corners of the frame and merged into said quarter twists, and grid wires of substantially half-round section disposed with their fiat sides downwardly and with their front ends disposed upon and welded to the central portion of the front frame member and with their rear ends disposed upon and welded to the inner shoulder of the rear frame member.

4. The combination of a border frame comprising integral front, rear and end members substantially flat on one side, the opposite side wardly and with their front ends disposed upon being of a curved section and having a shoulder, the rear and end members of the frame being disposed with the flat sides thereof facing downwardly and the front member being disposed with the flat side thereof facing forwardly, there being quarter twists at the front ends of the end memhere, the flat face of the front member being extendedaround the front corners of the frame and merged into said quarter twists, and grid wires disposed with their front ends upon and welded to the rounded portion of the front frame member and in abutting relation to the shoulder thereof and welded thereto and with their rear ends disposed upon and welded to the shoulder of the rear frame member and with their ends in abutting relation to the rounded portion thereof and welded thereto.

5. The combination of a border frame comprising integral front, rear and end members substantially flat on one side, the opposite side being of curved section and having a shoulder, the rear and end members of the frame being disposed with the flat sides thereof facing downwardly and the front member being disposed with the flat side thereof facing forwardly, there being quarter twists at the front ends of the end members, the flat face of the front member being extended around the front corners of the frame and merged into said quarter twists, and grid wires disposed with their front ends upon and welded to the rounded portion of the front frame member and with their rear ends disposed upon and welded to the shoulder of the rear frame member.

6. In a shelf or rack, the combination of a rectangular border frame substantially flat on one side and the opposite side having a transversely rounded central portion with shoulders at the sides thereof, the face of said fiat side having a central longitudinal groove therein, the rear and end members of the frame being disposed with the rounded side thereof upwardly and the front member with the rounded side thereof inwardly, and grid members of approximately half-round section disposed with their rounded sides upwardly and with their front ends upon and welded to the upper side of the rounded portion of the front member and with their rear ends disposed upon and welded to the shoulder at the inner side of the rounded portion of the rear member.

'7. In a shelf or rack, the combination of a rectangular border frame substantially flat on one side and the opposite side having a transversely rounded central portion with shoulders at the sides thereof, the rear and end members of the frame being disposed with the rounded side thereof upwardly and the front member with the rounded side thereof inwardly, and grid members of approximately half-round section disposed with their rounded sides upwardly and with their front ends upon and welded to the upper side of the rounded portion of the front member and with their rear ends disposed upon and welded to the shoulder at the inner side of the rounded portion of the rear member.

8. In a shelf or rack, the combination of a rectangular border frame substantially flat on one side and the opposite side having a transversely rounded portion terminating in a shoulder, the rear and end members of the frame being disposed with the rounded side thereof upwardly and the front member with the rounded side thereof inwardly, and grid members disposed with their front ends upon and welded to the upper side of the rounded portion of the front member and their rear ends disposed upon and welded to the shoulder at th inner side of the rounded portion of the rear member.

9. In a shelf or rack, the combination of a rectangular border frame having rear and end portions and a front portion integral therewith, said front portion having a substantially flat outer side and an inner side provided with a shoulder substantially coextensive in length therewith, and grid members of approximately half-round section disposed with their rounded sides upwardly and their ends upon said shoulder and welded thereto.

10. In a shelf'or rack, the combination of a rectangular border frame comprising integral front, rear and end members substantially flat on one side and having shoulder portions on the opposite side, the rear and end members of the frame being disposed with the flat sides thereof downwardly and the front member being disposed with its flat side facing forwardly, there being quarter twists at the front ends of the end members, the fiat face of the front member being extended around the front corners of the frame and merged into the quarter twists, and grid wires having their ends welded to the inner side of the front frame member and to the upper side of the rear frame member in th angles of said shoulders.

11. In a shelf or rack, the combination of a rectangular border frame comprising integral front, rear and end members substantially flat on one side, the rear and end members of the frame being disposed with the fiat sides thereof downwardly and the front member being disposed with its flat side facing forwardly, there being quarter twists at the front ends of the end members, and grid wires having their ends welded to the inner side of the front frame member and to the inner side of the rear frame member.

12. In a shelf or rack, the combination of a rectangular border frame of material in a section having a central projecting arm and a flangelike portion at the end of said arm extending transversely thereof, the central arm thereof being relatively thick, the central arm of the rear and end members of the frame being disposed upwardly and the central arm of the front frame member being disposed rearwardly, and grid members disposed upon and welded to the central arm of the front member and to the transversely extending portion of the rear frame member and with their ends within the central arm thereof and welded thereto.

13. In a shelf or rack, the combination of a rectangular border frame of material in a section having a central projecting arm and a flange-like portion at the end of said arm extending transversely thereof, the central arm of the rear and end members of the frame being disposed upwardly and the central arm of the front frame member being disposed rearwardly, and-grid members of approximately half-round section disposed with their rounded sides upwardly and their flat sides upon and welded to the central arm of the front member and to the transversely extending portion of the rear frame member and with their ends within the central arm thereof and welded thereto.

14. The combination of a continuous rectangular border frame of material in a section having a central projecting arm and a flange-like portion at the end of said arm extending transversely thereof, the rear and end members of said frame being disposed with the central arm thereof upwardly and the front member being disposed with its central arm inwardly, and grid members disposed with their front ends upon the central arm of said front member and welded thereto, their rear ends upon the transversely extending portion of said rear member and welded thereto.

15. The combination of a border frame having front and rear members of material in a section having a central projecting arm and a flange-like portion at the end of said arm extending transversely thereof, the rear member of said frame being disposed with the central arm thereof upwardly and the front member being disposed with its central arm rearwardly, and grid members disposed with their front ends upon the central arm of said front member and welded thereto, their rear ends upon the transversely extending portion of said rear member and welded thereto.

LEONARD A. YOUNG. 

